Cluster Randomized Trial

Implementing School-Based Policies to Prevent Obesity: Cluster Randomized Trial

Featured Council Member: Marlene Schwartz
This research, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, aimed to assess whether implementation of specific nutrition and physical activity components of school wellness policies lead to healthier student outcomes, including BMI trajectories. Findings indicate that implementing strong school nutrition policies results in healthier weight trajectories in middle school students.

The aim of this project was to determine whether school wellness policies could have a significant impact on BMI trajectories of middle school students.

Who is involved?
Researchers from the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, and the Yale School of Public Health, including Marlene Schwartz, Jeannette Ickovics, Kathleen O’Connor Duffany, Fatma Shebl, Sue Peters, Margaret Read, and Kathryn Gilstad-Hayden

Why this matters now?
Most children in the United States spend an average of 6 to 7 hours a day at school, which is why schools have become a priority setting for preventing childhood obesity. These findings can guide future school and community interventions to help mitigate childhood obesity and reach children and their families to reduce risks and promote health.

These findings affect school-aged children, parents, educators, and administrators.

People can get more involved by visiting uconnruddcenter.org, or by learning more about the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act at https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act

More Info:
http://uconnruddcenter.org/files/School%20Nutrition%20Policy%20Study.pdf
http://uconnruddcenter.org/files/School%20Policy%20Interventions%20.pdf
http://uconnruddcenter.org/files/School%20Nutrition%20Policy%20Infographic.pdf

On the News:
www.foodnavigator-usa.com
www.consumeraffairs.com
www.ibtimes.sg
www.consumer.healthday.com